BMW E3 Prototype Bertone

The BMW E3 Prototype Bertone is a fascinating chapter in automotive history. As part of BMW’s prestigious New Six series, which reigned from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, it showcased luxury sedans like the BMW 2500, 2800, 3.0 S, and 3.3 Li. Bertone, renowned for its automotive design prowess, received an invitation in 1966 from Wilhelm Hofmeister, then BMW’s head of bodywork, to compete in a styling contest for the forthcoming “New Six” saloon (E3).l Athough Bertone’s Italian proposal for the E3 didn’t clinch the deal, it left a lasting impression on Hofmeister, who later championed Bertone’s cause when he assumed the role of design department head. Undeterred by the initial rejection, Bertone seized a second opportunity across the border in France. In France, the Simca design office, led by Bob Anders, was vying for supremacy with its future large sedan destined for Rootes. This sedan was earmarked to lead Chrysler Europe’s new lineup, yet uncertainty loomed within American management. To bolster their position against Roy Axe’s C-Car (which evolved into the Chrysler 180), Anders presented three alternatives: two from in-house teams in Poissy and Detroit, and a third from Bertone. For this project, dubbed the Simca 929XB, Bertone made subtle modifications to the earlier BMW design. However, both French and American executives remained unconvinced, ultimately swaying towards other options. Despite Bertone’s valiant efforts, the BMW E3 Prototype Bertone remains a testament to the intricate web of collaborations and competitions that shape automotive design. While it never saw mass production, its legacy endures as a symbol of innovation and the relentless pursuit of automotive excellence.